Anonymous  +  394910 Sat, 21 Jul 07 09:58 PM Hi, Hi, "After getting married, Mary had to learn how to cook." Could we say "After marriage, Mary had to learn how to cook." instead ? Do 'after marrieage' and 'after getting married' have the same meaning? Thank you a lot. Anonymous Marriage

	Grammar Geek  +  394932 Sat, 21 Jul 07 11:52 PM "Marriage" is a noun, not an event (like "getting married" is). If you say "her marriage" you are referring to the entire "package" - not just the advent of it. After her first disasterous marriage, Mary vowed to remain single the rest of her life. Mary and Peter has a very successful marriage, despite a disasterous wedding ceremony. So don't say "After marriage" to mean "after getting married." Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,652 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random! Nouns, Marriage, Weddings